Patients at high risk of suicide before and during a COVID-19 lockdown: Ecological momentary assessment study

Aurora Cobo, Alejandro Porras-Segovia, Mariá Mercedes Pérez-Rodríguez, Antonio Artés-Rodríguez, Maria Luisa Barrigón, Philippe Courtet, Enrique Baca-Garciá

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak may have affected the mental health of patients at high risk of suicide. In this study we explored the wish to die and other suicide risk factors using smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in patients with a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Contrary to our expectations we found a decrease in the wish to die during lockdown. This is consistent with previous studies showing that suicide rates decrease during periods of social emergency. Smartphone-based EMA can allow us to remotely assess patients and overcome the physical barriers imposed by lockdown.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere82
JournalBJPsych Open
Volume7
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Suicide
  • ecological momentary assessment
  • machine learning
  • suicide attempt

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